JLM Headquarters

Winner of the 2009 “City Beautiful Award” for Historic Preservation

The Junior League of Miami’s two-story miniature “Venetian Palace” was designed by George Fink in 1923 and built for Patrick Bennett in 1925 by George Merrick’s Coral Gables Construction and Supply Company at a cost of $30,000. It was the first commercial building constructed in Coral Gables and is the only remaining example of this type of commercial building west of City Hall. The painting here is 713 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables, painted by Angela Hoppe.

In its early years, the building housed several businesses including a haberdashery, a liquor store, a restaurant, and a hotel. From 1963 to 1965, the building was closed and said to have been a “haven for hippies.” In 1975, interior designer David Trout purchased the building and created two first class apartments through a $200,000 renovation project. After Mr. Trout met an untimely death, funeral parlor owner W.L. Philbrick acquired the property for the development of his historical library. Philbrick deeded the building to the Miami Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution in 1981; the SAR used the building as their headquarters until 1995.

The JLM purchased the building on December 28, 1995, to serve as its permanent headquarters. Extensive renovation was required to bring the building in compliance with current building code and fire safety requirements. We were fortunate also to locate and preserve some key historic features of the building.

The front door is historic and was found on site during demolition. In addition, we discovered Dade County pine flooring which was painstakingly restored and now covers the entire reception area. On the second floor facing Biltmore way, we reclaimed the original porch area which had been enclosed during one of the building’s many “updates.” The historic iron railing around the stairway has been preserved and slightly modified to comply with safety code requirements.
The first and second floors of the building have been completely reconfigured to maximize space. On the first floor, we constructed two offices, a fax/copy/mail room, a kitchenette, a handicap accessible bathroom, a board room and an elevator. The rear glass “atrium” area has been removed and reconfigured as a garden and handicap accessible entrance. Handicap parking is available in the back of the building. The second floor now has a full kitchen and lounge area, a large storage area, a handicap accessible bathroom, and a community meeting room.

The League’s historic furniture has been refinished and the upholstered pieces have been recovered using donated fabrics. The end result is that our Headquarters is both functional and beautifully decorated.

The major donors to this project are listed on the wall in the reception area. We are indebted to those individuals, businesses, and foundations who have made this restoration possible. We are especially thankful for the vision of Thorn Grafton, project architect, and the perseverance of Teamwork Construction, our project contractors.

We look forward to a long and prosperous future our special building as we fulfill our mission of service to this community.

Summer 2007 Update

The HQ BOD has been busy sprucing up our historic building. The past months have seen numerous improvements including:

re-staining the front door

repairing, sanding and re-staining the wood floors

cleaning, filling and sealing the marble floors

repairing walls and areas damaged by water intrusion and roof leaks

repainting baseboards

touch up painting of walls throughout the building

replacement of broken exterior light fixtures

garden and landscape refurbishment

repair of roof leaks

repair of air conditioning system

Phase IV Renovation

The scope of the Phase IV renovation will include replacing all existing windows in the building, with the exception of the glass windows at the front of the building, with impact resistant glass windows. Weight bearing issues preclude the replacement of the windows to the front of the building so in the event of a hurricane we will continue to place existing shutters in these areas. The exterior of the building will have all cracks and holes repaired then the building will be sealed and repainted.

Plan of Action

Thorn Grafton, the grandson of Kay Pancoast, JLM President 1939-40, and the original architect associated with Phases I, II and III of the building’s renovation, has been contacted and the plans which he drew in 2004 have been procured. The structural engineering firm Douglas Wood and Associates currently has the plans and is preparing structural engineering calculations for the impact glass windows.
The Junior League and JLM HQ are currently discussing various methods for funding the Phase IV renovation. These ideas include but are not limited to:

The Junior League of Miami, Inc. granting funds to JLM HQ Inc. from the proceeds of the sale of ITN.

JLM HQ Inc. adding on to the existing loan

JLM HQ Inc. conducting a capital campaign.

JLM HQ Inc. seeking grant resources

Summer 2008 Update: Phase IV Renovation

Four Phases to Complete Restoration

In 1996 we embarked upon an ambitious Four Phase plan to purchase and renovate 713 Biltmore Way. We have successfully completed the first three phases, and appreciate the vision of Thorn Grafton, the grandson of Kay Pancoast, JLM President 1939-40, who is our project’s architect. Now we are embarking upon Phase IV which will ensure the building’s integrity for many years to come.

Phases I, II and III involved extensive renovation which was required in order to bring the building in compliance with current building code and fire safety requirements. During these phases we were fortunate to locate and preserve key historic features of the building.

Why We Need Your Help

As with any historic structure, time and weather continue to take its toll. Our building is no different, and we have ongoing water leak challenges. The scope of Phase IV renovation will include:

Replacing all existing windows in the building, with the exception of the glass windows at the front of the building, with impact resistant glass aluminum clad windows. Weight bearing issues preclude the replacement of the windows to the front of the building so in the event of a hurricane we will continue to place existing shutters in these areas.

The exterior of the building will have all cracks, fissures and holes repaired then the building will be sealed and repainted.

How We Intend to Pay for this Renovation

Phase IV will cost $200,000. The Junior League of Miami has taken the first step and generously gifted JLM HQ $50,000 from unused cumulative administrative funds. This gift and every other dollar that we raise will apply toward an upcoming Miami-Dade County Historic Preservation matching grant for which the JLM HQ, Inc. is applying. The remainder of the funds will be raised through private donations, corporations and foundations. Our contractor is SouthBay Builders, and work has commenced on this project and will be finished by September 1, 2008.

As with any endeavor, it will take numerous individuals working together to meet our goal. Donations of $2,000 and higher are permanently recognized on a commemorative wall at Headquarters, where donors to this project since 1996 are listed.

Please join us by contributing to this effort to ensure the future of the Junior League of Miami’s historic headquarters by making a donation today (coming soon). We’d love to hear from you!

Donor List

The Headquarters Capital Campaign of the Junior League of Miami gratefully acknowledges these gifts and donations received as of May 24, 2000. (For inquiries and corrections, contact the president of the HQ Inc. Board Kathleen Slesnick Kauffman.)

ABOUT US

Since its founding in 1901 by social activist Mary Harriman, The Junior League has evolved into one of the oldest, largest and most effective women’s volunteer organizations in the world, encompassing 150,000 women in 291 Leagues in four countries.